Elephant Hill Estate & Winery serves as the finish line for this event, following a "flat, fast road event" through Hawke’s Bay’s vineyards, orchards, and coastal paths. The Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon offers a sense of a point-to-point journey rather than a confined city race, with its countryside, cycleways, vineyard edges, and coastal sections providing the main character.
Underfoot conditions consist mostly of flat roads, sealed cycle paths, and vineyard trails, suggesting a course that suits runners who prefer a steady pace. The shorter race distances utilize the same coastal and vineyard terrain, and a kids’ run is held around the Elephant Hill finish area, contributing to a family-friendly atmosphere. Live entertainment, on-course support, and a food and wine festival create a "celebratory finish-line atmosphere," encouraging participants to linger after their run.